So I had antibiotics and pred for a chest infection two weeks ago. My asthma symptoms did eventually improve slightly on the pred/antibios with my pf increasing to 470ish (normal 550-570). The chest infection seems to have cleared up nicely now too.

Anyway, my asthma symptoms are still hanging about, having sudden tight chest, SOB etc especially when going out in the cold weather. My pf seems to be creeping back down and is back around 350. When I cough I get clear frothy phlegm so I know its not the chest infection returning. I'm still on the increased dose of flixotide.

So am I still expecting too fast a recovery from the chest infection? Before it, I was very stable and had reduced my flixotide down to one puff once a day, so to be on two puffs twice a day and still not controlled is frustrating.

I'm reluctant to go back to the GP as I can control the symptoms with ventolin, it's just annoying!! Do I just need to be more patient? Could the weather be the cause? I have no action plan so don't know what my GP would suggest and the asthma nurse is useless!!

9 Replies

Up and then back down? That doesn't sound good. By any boilerplate plan, you'd be in the yellow zone and heading towards red. Sounds to me it's time to call the GP.

4 years agoHidden

With pf dropping it sounds to me like you need to head back to your GP. Lungs can be quite twitchy after a chest infection and take a while (weeks) to settle. They're probably just a bit over sensitive and reacting to every little trigger around atm and might need a bit of extra help med wise for a short time.

4 years agoHidden

Thanks guys, really don't want to go back to GP again, but will if thats the best thing to do. Thanks for your advice xxx

4 years agoHidden

It's a pain when the GP surgery becomes your second home, but with a pf 350 from 570 I think it should be done. Hope you get on well at appointment

4 years agoHidden

Yes, between me and the kids I'm never out of the place! Its bad when the GP knows you personally!

Anyway went to see him, he said the infection has definately cleared but could hear restrictions in there and pf was only 300 (was cold out there this morning!) so he gave me a neb, told me to increase my flixotide to 4 puffs twice a day and has told me to see how I get on. If not better by Friday I have to go back for another course of pred.

4 years agoHidden

Hey!!

Just wanted to fly by and wish u a huge get well soon!! Fingers crossed by friday u r feeling a lot better.

Dont worry about having to see your gp again, im pretty sure they would rather see u lots and keep u well rather than not see u and u be extremely poorly!!

Xxx

4 years agoHidden

I think the weather does have some effect

Do you find your asthma is worse if its foggy or really cold out?

I have found from experience the best situation is by the sea

Sometimes the coughing can cause leakage from the walls of the bronchial tubes

this can seem a bit chicken and egg as its hard to figure out if the phlegm stuff is from infection or caused by the excessive coughing ??? still looking into this myself... or a heart prob ?

Always best to see the GP even if you feel like your being a pain ..... a good GP would rather see you like you say

4 years agoHidden

Hey!!

Just wanted to fly by and wish u a huge get well soon!! Fingers crossed by friday u r feeling a lot better.

Dont worry about having to see your gp again, im pretty sure they would rather see u lots and keep u well rather than not see u and u be extremely poorly!!

Xxx

Thanks Charlie, I hope I'm better by Friday too, not different yet but there's still tomorrow!! Yes my GP said the same to me!

I think the weather does have some effect

Do you find your asthma is worse if its foggy or really cold out?

I have found from experience the best situation is by the sea

Sometimes the coughing can cause leakage from the walls of the bronchial tubes

this can seem a bit chicken and egg as its hard to figure out if the phlegm stuff is from infection or caused by the excessive coughing ??? still looking into this myself... or a heart prob ?

Always best to see the GP even if you feel like your being a pain ..... a good GP would rather see you like you say

Yes I find cold weather and fog bad for my asthma, even if I cover my mouth and try to nose breathe it irritates my lungs even when I'm in a 'well controlled' phase!

Interesting about the bronchial tubes. I usually go by the colour of my phlegm LOL.

4 years agoHidden

Interesting about the bronchial tubes. I usually go by the colour of my phlegm LOL.

Its amazing how much interest one can take in ones own sputum... yes the colour would generally be a good indicator of infection, blood being the worse thing to see obviously